Bois D' Arc Trailhead Campground

🐴 Introduction / Overview: A Trail Rider's Paradise in Fannin County

For Texans who love to explore the outdoors on horseback or prefer a primitive, nature-focused camping experience, the **Bois D' Arc Trailhead Campground** is a specialized and essential destination. Located within the **Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands** (specifically the Caddo Unit in Fannin County), this campground serves as the main entry point to the expansive **Bois D' Arc Trail** system. It is operated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), ensuring that the surrounding environment and trails are managed for long-term sustainability and public use.

This facility is unique in that it is designed primarily to support **equestrian use**, providing specialized amenities for campers bringing their horses. The atmosphere is rustic and focused on the trail, offering a simple yet effective basecamp for riders and hikers looking to immerse themselves in the wooded areas and grasslands of Northeast Texas. It’s highly regarded for its maintenance, with one visitor noting the area is "Very well-maintained." The campground operates on a **first-come, first-served** basis only, meaning spontaneous adventurers are always welcome, though it is advisable to arrive early during peak season to secure one of the 28 available campsites.

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📍 Location and Accessibility: Deep in the Caddo National Grasslands

The Bois D' Arc Trailhead Campground is located in a beautifully natural, heavily shaded area of Fannin County, near the small Texas community of **Telephone, TX 75488**. Its address is **7291 FM409, Telephone, TX 75488, USA**.

To reach this secluded spot, travelers typically navigate to the eastern part of the Caddo National Grasslands. Directions often involve turning onto FM 409 from FM 100 near Honey Grove, traveling west for a few miles until reaching the designated trailhead entrance. This location is roughly 45 minutes from Sherman, TX, and about a 1.5-hour drive from Dallas, making it an accessible weekend wilderness getaway for residents in North Texas. The surrounding terrain consists of a mixture of wooded areas and open grasslands, offering diverse and visually appealing trails right from the campsite. The drive is scenic and accommodates large vehicles, though the internal roads are more rustic.

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🛠️ Services Offered: Trail-Focused Essentials

Bois D' Arc Trailhead Campground provides fundamental amenities necessary for a comfortable stay, with a special emphasis on supporting equestrian activity. The approach is simple, rustic, and focused on self-sufficiency.

• **Campsites:** Offers **28 individual campsites**, featuring a mix of pull-through and back-in options, often separated into distinct camping loops.
• **Self-Pay/First-Come:** Operates strictly on a **first-come, first-served basis**. Visitors must physically arrive to purchase and claim a site, which can be done using the Recreation.gov Scan and Pay feature (if cellular service permits).
• **Water Access:** **Potable water** is available within the campground area, a crucial amenity for both human and horse needs.
• **Sanitary Facilities:** Equipped with **sanitary facilities** (typically vault or pit toilets), as detailed in USFS documentation, but generally *does not* include showers or flush toilets, maintaining a more rustic experience.
• **Group Shelter:** Features a **pavilion with a grill**, which can be utilized by groups for cooking and socializing.
• **Equestrian Facilities:** Specialized services for riders include a dedicated **horse washing area**.
• **Individual Site Amenities:** Each of the 28 campsites is equipped with a **picnic table** and a **fire ring/fire pit**, allowing for traditional campfire cooking and ambiance.
• **Accessibility:** Sites accommodate a variety of setups, including large RVs, although full hookups (electric/sewer) are *not* a standard feature here, maintaining the trailhead's primitive nature.

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✨ Features / Highlights: Wilderness and Trail Riding

The core highlights of the Bois D' Arc Trailhead Campground revolve around its extensive multi-use trail system and its natural, heavily wooded setting.

• **Extensive Equestrian Trails:** The primary feature is the **Bois D' Arc Trail system**, offering **over 25 miles** of clearly marked and "very well-maintained" trails suitable for horseback riding. This makes it a premier destination for trail riders in Texas.
• **Multi-Use Access:** While focused on equestrian use, the trails are also open for **hiking and mountain biking**, providing diverse recreational opportunities in the Caddo National Grasslands.
• **Heavy Shade:** The campground is characterized by **heavy tree coverage** and natural landscaping, offering much-needed **shade** during the hot Texas summer months.
• **Proximity to Lakes:** The campground is conveniently located near other key regional attractions like **Coffee Mill Lake** and **Lake Davy Crockett**, offering easy access to additional fishing and boating opportunities in the Grasslands area.
• **Natural and Rustic Setting:** The environment is purposefully kept more rustic, appealing to campers seeking a genuine wilderness experience. This is reflected in the lack of full electric hookups and the use of vault/pit toilets.

*A Note on Regulations:* Visitors should be aware that, due to the campground's location within federally managed lands (National Grasslands), the area is frequently patrolled by **Game Wardens** and USFS officials. Compliance with all federal and state regulations regarding hunting, fishing, campfires, and general conduct is essential. One customer review mentioned strict enforcement; understanding and respecting all Texas Fish and Wildlife rules and federal property regulations will ensure a smooth and pleasant stay.

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📞 Contact Information

Since this is a first-come, first-served campground, you cannot reserve a site via phone. However, for information on trail conditions, current operating status, or general Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands questions, you can contact the managing office.

**Address:** 7291 FM409, Telephone, TX 75488, USA

**Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands Office Phone:** (940) 627-5475

**Mobile Phone (Same as Office):** +1 940-627-5475

**Reservations:** **Not accepted.** Sites are available only on a first-come, first-served basis.

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⭐ What is Worth Choosing: Unmatched Equestrian Access and Wilderness Immersion

For Texas outdoor enthusiasts, especially those with horses, **Bois D' Arc Trailhead Campground** is worth choosing for its **unrivaled access to the Bois D' Arc Trail system** and its setting within the protected Caddo National Grasslands.

This is the **premier destination for equestrian camping** in this part of Texas, with over 25 miles of dedicated, well-maintained trails radiating directly from the camp. The specialized facilities, including the horse washing area, demonstrate a commitment to serving this unique user group. The heavy tree canopy provides essential shade in the Texas climate, and the non-reservable, first-come policy caters well to flexible, spontaneous travelers.

By choosing Bois D' Arc, you are selecting a **true wilderness immersion** experience, moving away from the crowded, amenity-heavy RV parks. You are trading sewer hookups for starlit skies and the sound of generators for the rustle of the leaves. Provided you respect the federal and state regulations of the Grasslands, this campground is a genuinely "beautiful" and functional basecamp for Texas trail riders, hikers, and anyone seeking a rustic retreat into the heart of the Caddo National Grasslands.